Island



(No Model.)

P. G. MUBNCHINGBR. ENVELOP.

No. 570,557. Patented Ngv. 3, 1896.

y By his BInrl-lys.

UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

PAUL e. .MUENcr-HNGEE, or NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.

ENVELOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 570,557, dated November 3, 1896.

Application tiled December 6,1895. Serial No. 571,295. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, PAUL G. MUENCHINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newport, in the county of Newport and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Envelop, of which the following is a' specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in envelops, and the principal object in view isto provide an envelop with an attachment which will facilitate the tearing open of the envelop and at the same time not interfere with the appearance thereof, being concealed entirely from view within the same.

The object of the present invention is to reinforce the envelop lat such point and iny such manner as that the direction in which the tearing of the envelop shall extend may be accurately governed and predetermined.

To this end the invention consists in an improved envelop embodying certain novel features and details ofconstruction, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and finally pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Vln the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a rear elevation of the improved envelop closed and sealed. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the gummed flap open. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustratingthe manner of opening the envelop. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. l, the envelop having been torn open.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, l designates an ordinary envelop having the usual lapped side iiaps 2 and the top and bottom iaps 3 and 4, respectively, the bottom ap being permanently gummed to the side flaps where it overlaps the same.

To the inner surface of the top or loose ap 3 of the envelop is attached a triangularshaped reinforcement 5, of muslin, cloth, or other suitable textile material, the same being preferably pasted upon the inside of said iiap. This reinforcement is shaped in such manner as not to interfere with the gulnmed edge of the ap 3 and extends atits opposite ends in proximal relation to the corners of the envelop and iiap, as at 6. One edge of this triangular reinforcem ent is substantially coincident with the fold of the fiap 3, while the reversely-inclined edges 7 of such reinforcement lie in proximal relation to the gummed portion of the ap and intersect in a common point or vertex 8. The flap 3 is also formed with a V-shaped .slit 9, coincident with the point or vertex of the reinforcement 5, the said slit establishing an angular lip l0, which is strengthened by the reinforcement and adapted to be grasped between the thumb and forenger preparatory to the opening of the envelop.

The operation of opening the envelop is-as follows: The envelop is grasped by the left hand, with the thumb preferably resting near the center of the envelop and upon the point of the iiap 3, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The upper portion of the envelop, by means of the right hand, is then deflected or bent forward until the angular lip lO projects upward, whereupon it is grasped between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand. By now pulling firmly and quickly upward t0- ward the top of the envelop the flap 3 will be torn simultaneously in opposite directions, and the line of tearing will be influenced and controlled by the directing edges 7 of the textile reinforcement 5.

The construction above described provides a very simple and efficient means for quickly opening an envelop and at the same time protects the contents of such envelop and obviates the liability of injuring or tearing the same. The form of the reinforcing-piece 5 may be varied to suit the shape or size of the envelop in connection with which it is used.

A great advantage of this improvement resides in the fact that it requires no special attention or care on the part of the person mailing the letter, and at the same time it is so cheap in cost that it will add very little to the retail price` of the envelop.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. An envelop having applied to the inner surface of its sealing-flap, a reinforcement, the latter being removed from the edge of the ap and reaching from the center to the op- ICO posite corners of the sealing-flap the center of the reinforcement being extended toward the point of the flap, and said ap being formed with a slit coincident With the edge of the central portion of the reinforcement whereby the flap may be torn in such manner as to leave the gummed portion thereof adhering to the main body of the envelop, substantially as described.

2. An envelop formed with a V-shaped slit extending parallel to the point of the sealingiiap and constituting an angular lip, and a reinforcement applied to and covering the inner surface of said angular lip and extending thence in opposite directions to the opposite corners of said'lap and envelop, substantially as described.

3. An envelop having applied to the inner surface of its sealing-flap,` a triangular reinforcement, the latter being remo-ved from the edge of the flap and having two of its angles or corners extended to the opposite corners of 4 the sealing-flap and the remaining corner or angle extended toward the point of the ap, the said iiap .being formed with a V-shaped slit coincident with the point or vertexof the reinforcement and adapting the ap to tear in such mann er as to leave the gummed portion thereof adhering to the main body of the envelop, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

PAUL G. MUENCHINGER.

Witnesses:

A; I. MUENCHINGER, E. K. STEvENs. 

